Spark plug



Patented `uly 16, 1935 SPARK PLUG Ivan Lampitt, Pekin, Ill., assigner of one-fourth to Mrs. Edwin A. Lampitt, Pekin, Ill.

I Applicationseptember 5, 1934, Serial No. 742,819

4 Claims. (Cl. 12S-169) This invention relates to spark plugs for internal combustion engines and similar devices and has for the primary object the provision of a device of this character wherein the electrical spark thereof may be materially increased to extend over a greater area and in annular Vformation which will cause thorough and complete burning of the fuel in the engine and eliminate the cusn tomary practice of employing dual ignition systems and spark plugs to the engine.

With these and other objects in View this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. Y

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, illustrating a spark plug constructed in accordance with my invention. y

Figure 2 is a top plan View illustrating the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, illustrating a modied form of my invention.

Figure 4 is a top plan view illustrating the same.

Figure 5 is a plan View, partly in section, illus-` trating an electrode plate,

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral I indicates a metallic body constructed similarly to the body of a conventional type of spark plug and has mounted therein the insulator 2, carryl ing the central electrode 3. A metallic externally screw threaded sleeve 4 is connected to the end of the body I by a non-magnetic sleeve 5 and is spaced from the end of the body Ito form an annular groove 6. A perforated electrode plate 'l forms an integral part of the electrode 3 and is arranged within the annular groove having its periphery spaced from the walls of said groove to form a spark gap of annular formation. The sleeve 4 projects outwardly of the non-magnetic sleeve 5 and provides a medium for attaching the spark plug to an engine in the usual manner.

An electro-magnet 8 is arranged adjacent the body l and the terminal posts 9 thereof are adapted to be connected into an electric circuit. The core of the electromagnet is in the form of sectional clamps Ill, one of which is applied to the sleeve 4 and insulated from the non-magneticsleeve 5 While the other is applied to the body, as shown in Figure 1. The split clamps form the north and south poles to the electro-magnet so that during the use of a spark plug or when connected in a high tension circuit and the electro-magnet energized the spark between the plate 'l and the walls of the groove 6 will be caused to spread to vcover a greater area thereby producing a more eflicient arc or spark than heretofore possible to obtain from a spark plug of a conventional construction. The increased .spark will more effectively ignite and burn the fuel in the cylinder of the engine. The spark or arc is compelled to pass through the magnetic field of the electro-magnet 8 which has a tendency to suck the spark across the gap defined by the plate 'l and the walls of the annular groove.

Referring to my modified form of invention, the

' body of the `spark plug is indicated by the character II and its threaded portion has threaded, thereto a non-magnetic sleeve I2 and threaded to the sleeve I2 is a metallic shell I3 spaced from the body II and is provided at one end with an inwardly extending annular ange lll. The insulator of the body I is indicated by the character I5 and carries the central electrode I 6 to which is secured an annular `cup-shaped plate I'I, the flange of which is spaced from the flange I4 forming a spark gap of annular formation. The plates Il and 'I are perforated to equalize pressure on opposite sides thereof.

A series of electromagnets I 8 are associated with the body and the shell I3 and are connected in an electric circuit in any suitable manner. The cores of the electrom'agnets are of substantially U-shape and are indicated by the character I8. 'Ihe ends of the cores are secured in sockets formed in the body I l and the shell I 3. l

The spark produced at the spark gap is compelled to pass through the magnetic field of the electromagnets I8.

Having described the invention, I claim:

A1. A spark plug comprising a metallic body, an insulator carried by said body, a centralv electrode carried by said insulator, a metallic sleeve secured to and spaced from the body to form an annular groove, a circular electrode plate integral with said electrode and arrangedY in said groove to form an annular spark gap, and electro-magnetic means between; said sleeve and body and connected in an electric circuit'for spreading and increasing the area covered by the spark between the Walls of said groove and the plate.

2. A spark plug comprising a metallic body, an insulator carried by said body, an electrode carried by the insulator, a metallic element detachably secured to the body and spaced therefrom,

a circular plate carried by the electrode and cooperating with the body and metallic element in forming an annular spark gap, and electro-mag netic means connected to the body and to the metallic element.

3. A spark plug comprising a metallic body, an insulator carried by said body, an electrode carried by the insulator, a metallic element detachably secured to the body and spaced therefrom, a circular plate carried by the electrode and cooperating with the body and metallic element in forming an annular spark gap, an electro-magnet arranged adjacent the body and including a core having sectional end portions applied to the metallic element and to said body.

4. A spark plug comprising a metallic body, an insulator carried by said body, an electrode carried by the insulator, a metallic element detachably secured to the body and spaced therefrom, a circular plate carried by the electrode and cooperating With the body and metallic element in forming an annular spark gap, a series of electro-magnets each including a Winding anda core with the ends of said core secured to the body and the metallic element.

IVAN LAMPI'IT. 

